Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31013, William Eustis, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Eustis, William
S 31013
CONTENTS

30278
Massachusetts
William Eustis
Newburyport in the State of Massachusetts was a Artificer in the company commanded by Captain Batten of the reg t commanded by Col. M'Clack in the Massachusetts line for 15 months artificer
Enscribed on the Roll for Massachusetts at the rate of 90 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate & Pension issued the 3 day of Dec 1835 and sent to W m Moart Esq. Newburyport
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835 $360.00 Pension allowance ending Sept r 45.00 $405 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk Book C Vol. 2 Page 22

11-6-1862
15097

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS : COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss.
On this eleventh day of September A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the HONORABLE DANIEL APPLETON WHITE, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, now sitting, William Eustis , a resident of Newburyport, in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 76 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
He enlisted at Springfield, in the company of Artillery, commanded by Captain Potter in the year 1776. (and served in said company, at said Springfield, and at West Point, with said Artillery, the full term of fifteen months in the said year 1776 and in the year 1777 and was discharged at
He afterwards entered on board the private armed Brig Levant ( D'Estang ), commanded by Captain Kendrick, commissioned by the Government of the United States, mounting sixteen brass guns and manned with Two hundred men, (and was in her on a cruise Three months, in the year 1778, after which the said Brig was captured off the Western Islands, and he was detained prisoner on board the British Ship Devil , and afterwards put on board the British Ship Nonpareil of 74 guns carried to Antigua, where he was detained Two months (and until he made his escape and returned to the United States. He was born in Boston in the year 1756. He has no record of his age. When called into service he lived in Boston. Ever since the war he has lived in Newbury and Newburyport. Capt. Potter and capt. Kendrick were officers where he served. He received no written discharge. Wm Wourts Esquire and capt. Abraham Wheelwright know him and would testify as to his character for veracity and their belief that he served as he herein states.
That he now resides in Newburyport aforesaid (and has resided there for nearly fifty years last past; and that previous thereto he resided at Boston, and at said Springfield)
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Subscribed and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
D. A. White Judge of Probate

We Rev d Daniel Dana (D.D.) a clergyman, residing in Newburyport aforesaid and Solomon H. Burnham Esquire, a Magistrate residing in Newburyport aforesaid, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Eustis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: and that we believe him to be seventy six years of age: that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
William Ward, Justus off. Pm
Daniel Dana S. H. Burnham
And the said Court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the court department, that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states — And the Court further certifies that the Rev d Daniel Dana (D.D.) who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing at said Newburyport and that Solomon H. Burnham Esquire who has also signed the same is a Magistrate residing at said Newburyport, and is a credible person: and that their statement is entitled to credit.
D. A. White Judge of Probate
I Nathaniel Lord Junr, Registrar of the Court of Probate for the county of Essex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of William Eustis for a pension — also that William Ward is a Justice of the peace for the said City of Essex, and that his signature to the foregoing affidavit is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have also hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eleventh day of September A.D. 1832.
Nath l Lord Junr

15097
William Eustis Map
See letter of Nov. 35 to Nuttall on to service of board Briggs
Aband 15. no Artificer Capt. Botten Col. Wheelock
proved by Saml. Row of Mass. his diary filed.
Wm. Woart Esq. Newburyport. Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
July 3 rd 1834
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     enlis d 76 15 - Arty ? Capt Boller & " Aynes- 76   78 5 Seam Brig Count de   2 primo Estang-  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

O. W. & N. Division.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
F. S. M. E. C.
Bureau of Pensions,
8,310/3
Washington, D. C., October 26, 1895.
Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of William Eustis a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATE OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERD. STATE. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. 1776 15 mos. Artificer. Bolter & Ayres ----- Mass. In 1778 he went on a five months cruise on board the private armed Brig "Count D'Estang"; was taken prisoner and detained by the British for about two months.
Battles engaged in, None stated. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Boston, Mass. Date of application for pension. September 11, 1832. Residence at date of application, Newburyport, Mass. Age at date of application, Born, Boston, Mass., 1756.
Remarks:
Very respectfully, W. Tracy Eustis, Esq., 19 Pearl St., Boston, Mass.

Los Angeles, April 4, 1894. Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions. Washington, D. C. W m Lockhorn, Commissioner.
Dear Sir:-
I understand that my ancestor, W m Eustis of Newburyport, Mass. was granted a pension by the U. S. government for services rendered during the American Revolution. Will you kindly send me a statement of his military history if such be on file in your department. By so doing you will greatly oblige
Yours most truly, Eliza F. Houghton, Jr.
937 So Pearl St.
Los Angeles. Cal.

31 013
Rev INVALID.
File No. 31,013
William Eastis
Defender Rev me
Act: June 7 th 39
Index: Vol. 2 , Page 126
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Apr 21/94 sent Hunt to M rs Eliza P. Houghton St. C 939 Pearl St. Los Angeles Cal. Oct 26/95 sent to M rs Mary E. Hunt 19 Pearl St. Boston Mass. M rs Hunt

War. Department Pension Office July. 3 rd 1834
Sir
The documents in support of the claim of William Eustis have been examined, and are herewith again returned. The rules of the Office in all cases require some evidence of service, other than the declaration of the claimant. It is presumed (in this case) that where so many revolutionary characters are still to be found, as in Mass. that there will be no difficulty in proving at least a part of the land service. The act of June makes no provision for service on board private Armed Vessels, and the Count D'Estang, being of that description, consequently the alleged sea service, cannot be allowed. A printed sheet is herewith inclosed for the purpose of guiding the applicant in completing his declaration.
very respectfully J. L. Edwards Commr. of Pensions
William Wirt Esq. Newburyport Mass

J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions (Washington)

Newburyport Oct. 12th. 1835.
J L Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pension.
Sir
Will you allow me in behalf of William Estlin, to return you herein, his application for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832. with the accompanying papers, and such additional evidence as he since been able to procure, in support of his claim - (and will you permit me at his request to add, that he has made every search and enquiry, that his age and infirmity would allow. (and has not been able to obtain better Evidence; - that at the time his papers were returned, he was on a visit to his children in the extreme part of Maine and could not then sooner make the search required.
Very respectfully Yours sincerely M c Lean

J L Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington.

Newburyport May 26th 1834
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
At the request of Mr. Eustis I forward you herein, his application for pension, annexed, it is believed, as far as he can obtain evidence. —
Very respectfully
Wm. O. O'Brien (W. W. O'Brien)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, May 22 d 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the roll of Capt. Bolter's Company of Artificers, stationed at Springfield and West Point, in 1776 & '77, as described by W m Eustis, who claims for services under the said Capt. in '76 & '77, is not found in this Office.
William Eustis claims for services on board the Brig Count D'Estang, Capt. Kendrick, in 1778. but the roll is not found in this Office. It appears by a list of Vessels, that the Brig Count D'Estang was employed by the Board of War for the Massachusetts State; time employed and the year not mentioned, in the Margin is "Brig taken, part of the Cargo saved."
Edward D. Lemp

15097
Mr. Eustis
Mr. Mount Eng. Newburyport - Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Custis which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yy V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yy

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 4
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Application should be made to E. D. Bangs Esq. for evidence of the claimants service, also for evidence respecting the character of the vessel called the "Grafton D'Estang"

I Ephraim Thayer of the City of Boston aged Eighty five years and upwards, on Oath do declare, that I am now on the pension list of the Agency of Invalid Pensions. that I was a soldier in the Company of Artillery commanded by Captain Butts and some therein in the Revolutionary War - at Springfield & other places - and I well remember that a man by the name of William Easton who then belonged to Boston entered and served in said Company at said Springfield - but from my age and infirmities I am unable to say how long he served - but the fact of his serving in said Company at Springfield - as an Artilleryman distinctly remember - Captain Ayers commanded the Company one part of the time. Ephraim Thayer
Sept. 21 st 1835
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Ephraim Thayer above named personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said county and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the above written affidavit by him subscribed before me this 21 st Sept. 1835. and I do certify that the said Ephraim Thayer, is personally known to me and has been for many years, (and fully believed by me to be a credible witness). William D. Dows
Samuel Dows, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Eighty Two Years, on oath do testify and declare that I am a pensioner of the United States and served as an Artilleryman of the United States in the Company commanded by Capt. Frost and Col. Saltonstall Deputy Quarter Master General, in the War of the Revolution.
That I have seen and conversed with William Easton, who is now an applicant for a pension as an Artilleryman in the said Service in Captain Butts Company - and from circumstances which he has related, compared with my own knowledge, I have full confidence to believe and do believe, that said Easton did serve in Captain Butts Company, as he has stated - The said Butts was well known to me - he has since deceased, and although I have made enquiry at the request of said Easton (a his friend) I have not been able to find any other person than the above named Thayer who is now living - who was in said Company - able to testify.
September 24 th 1835
Sam d Dows
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Before me September 24 th 1835. Samuel Dows above named personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said county, and made oath, in due form of law to the truth of the above written affidavit by him subscribed before me - And I do also certify that I have personally known the said Samuel Dows many years, and he is fully believed by me to be a credible Witness - William D. Dows

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Beth, ss. Probate Office, October 8, 1855. I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that William Woart is a justice of the peace within and for said county, duly commissioned and sworn, and that the signature of said William Woart to the certificate on each of the annexed affidavits of William Custis, Abraham Wheelwright, Ebenezer Wheelwright, Ephraim Thayer, and Samuel Dow, is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto set my hand and seal.
Nath. Lord Jr.
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I William Eustis, of Newburyport, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged nearly Eighty Years, who am an applicant for a pension, under the act of Congress of the 7th of June A D 1832, in addition to the declaration which I then made before the Honorable Daniel M c Intire Judge of Probate of said County September 11 th 1832, and in explanation thereof do now further amath declare, that when I first enlisted I was in Springfield Massachusetts, in the year 1776 - that I enlisted voluntarily in Captain Dutton's Company, of Artillery - I was a conscientious Tract, and served my Apprenticeship with Benjamin Eustis. My first enlistment was for eight months - and when that time was expired, I again enlisted and served in the same Company under Captain Dutton one part of the time and Captain Ayers at another the full term of Twelve months as stated in my said declaration - One part of said service was at said Springfield - and I was also employed as a soldier at West Point - when I served at Poughkeepsie, we were employed on Danootie Heights in the Harbour of Boston - and was then employed by the State, in separate service from what I have claimed - When I made my application I was not able to procure further Evidence than that which I then presented, and when my papers were returned I was on a visit to my son in Eastport in the State of Maine from which I was not able to return by reason of age and infirmity until within a few weeks - That I had previously, and I have since made the most careful enquiry for further Evidence of my said service, without other success than the annex which I respectfully now submit - That I know of no other persons, who were then living able to testify for me, nor am I able by reason of my age and infirmity, to give a more particular detail than that which I have already given - Captain Dutton and Captain Ayers are both deceased as are the others who served with them, excepting only a few of them are now living - I have not been able to find them.
William Eustis
Newburyport Oct 2 d 1835
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss October 2 d 1835. Then personally came the above named William Eustis and made oath in due form of Law to the truth of the above written declaration by him subscribed in my presence.
M c Intire Judge of the Probate
I Abraham Wheelwright of Newburyport in the County of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Merchant aged Seventy Eight years do hereby testify and declare, that I am personally well acquainted with the above named William Eustis and have been well acquainted with him for more than Fifty years - I do believe that he was a conscientious

trade and thus in the Revolutionary War, he enlisted and served among the Artillery. but for what time (and in what company I am unable to say. I know myself in the service by land and sea, and am now on the roll of the Massachusetts Agency as a pensioner. I do know that the said William Curtis has been always considered by me (and by the entire circle of his acquaintance, in the Town where he lives to have been a Soldier of the Revolution. I do know also, and cheerfully attest, that he has through life thus far supported the character of an upright honest man (and on whose declarations full confidence is placed. He has of late years, by reason of age and infirmity, lost his energy, and activity, and in some degree his recollection, but for his veracity, is generally believed full reliance may be placed.
Abraham Wheeler
Newburyport October 2 d 1835.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. October 2 d 1835. Then personally came Abraham Wheeler the above named and made oath in due form of law, to the truth of the above written Affidavit by him subscribed in my presence. I do also certify that the said Abraham Wheeler is a Merchant of long and respectable standing personally well known to me, as a credible witness.
W. W. Cram
I, Ebenezer Wheeler right of Newburyport in the county of Essex, aged Seventy one years, do hereby certify and declare that I am acquainted with the above named William Curtis, and have personally known him more than fifty years he has always been known (and considered by me, and the citizens of this place generally to have been in the service of the United States as an Artificer. He is also known and generally considered to have uniformly possessed a good character, and his character for truth and veracity has never been doubted to my knowledge.
Newburyport October 2 d 1835.
Ebenezer Wheeler
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. Town of Newburyport, October 2 d 1835. Then personally came Ebenezer Wheeler above named, and made oath in due form of law, to the truth of the above written Affidavit by him subscribed in my presence. I do also certify that the said Ebenezer Wheeler is personally well known to me, that he is a merchant of long and respectable standing, and a credible witness.
W. W. Cram